WRITE NOW THERAPY!

First of all, I have complete respect for trained and licensed therapists. I have made my way through my journey in life because of a handful of therapists who helped get me to next levels in my life. Some of my issues, required the professional help of therapists and psychiatrists as my recovery required specific types of professional help that I could not do on my own.

I was also educated, trained and practiced as an MFT intern under two licensed therapists when I was working toward my degree. Ultimately, I changed directions but completed my master’s degree in psychology because of my education and training background. I know there is a list of mental health diagnoses that are best suited for work to be done with a licensed therapist. I also know the majority of the population doesn’t require that in depth care.

I know there are people who need help where work with a therapist isn’t necessary or possible. There are millions of people whose mental health issues are minor and only require a short burst of help to work through a current or past problem. Your individual needs may make it so you may not want or need a therapist. Your current hang-ups, issue, or problem may just need the support of someone who can give you self-help tools to conquer your problem on your own.

COACHING IS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE

Coaching, just like any sport, is a partnering process. A coach gives you exercises and activities for you to work with a specific goal in mind. The process of mental health coaching is designed to focus on the present and future and get you to a place or goal you want for yourself.

Professional athletes, celebrities, and successful business men and woman all use a personal mental-health coaches to assist them on their path of success. It isn’t just about being a cheerleader. It is about a strategic plan with steps and tools designed to reach your ultimate goal. Whether that goal is to get over a breakup or loss, designed to help you with your own identity, expression or purpose, or even with a specific goal, whether large or small, in mind.

Coaching works along the same lines as therapy and can have the same objectives but take different avenues to get there. Coaching tends to be on shorter timelines and more future focused. It is also more accessible and more widely accepted. Having a personal coach is seemingly more acceptable than being in therapy (although the stigma is changing quickly).

Partnering with a mental health coach is a great entry level into the world of self-improvement. Think of it as a personal trainer for your brain. A good coach will guide you along your path of success, give you benchmarks, hold you accountable, and make further recommendations for additional support that may be necessary and can included recommendations for a therapist for specific mental health diagnosis reasons.

A COACH CAN RECOMMEND IF A THERAPIST IS NEEDED

Some reasons a coach may recommend additional support through a therapist is if you are needing to deal withy some past trauma or abuse, PTSD, or clinically diagnosable illness where therapy could be an aid for what your challenges are. A good coach can help make those recommendations. He or she walks with you through that process if it is needed. A mental health coach may also make other supportive recommendations to your goal that may include a dietation, physical therapy or trainer, etc.. The goal of the coach is to ensure you have all the tools you need to successful accomplish the goals you have for yourself.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

When selecting a mental health or even a life coach, look at their training, education and expertise before making a selection. They should have a degree aligned with what they specialize in and/or should have a certification. Ensuring that the coach you select comes from a place of expertise in education and training is important.

I specialize in mental health coaching with an emphasis on self-help writing and journal therapy that focuses on loss, grief, identity, expression and purpose. Principles in narrative and logotherapy are applied using a coaching model for treatment. I have both a masters of psychology and in writing, with a bachelor’s degree in Communications from California State University. My educational expertise aligns with the specialty and focused recommendations I make with my clients.

It’s important you look for a coach or therapist whose education, background, and emphasis aligns with what you specifically are looking for. The fact that you are looking for professional support means you are serious about what you have set out to accomplish. Ensure you are working with someone who has what you need to help you accomplish those goals.